Phylicia StitzelHey there, globe trotters! 😎✈️ It’s your most adventurous friend with another delightful gem from my treasure trove of travel tales. This time, our compass is pointing to none other than – drumroll please 🥁 – the dazzlingly diverse, always amazing San Francisco! 🌁 Here is your ultimate weekend guide in San Francisco!
Pack your bags and don your shades 😎, because we’re about to take you on a whirlwind weekend of SF style fun and frolic! From dizzying ups and downs on vintage cable cars 🚃, savoring mouthwatering sourdough bowls on the foggy Fisherman’s Wharf 🍲, to capturing breathtaking insta-shots at the Golden Gate Bridge 🌉, we’ve got an itinerary that’s irresistible!
Hey, wait up! Don’t rush into packing that suitcase just yet… Might wanna keep one hand free to scroll down this must-read guide. I promise it’s going to be a wild ride! 🎢Buckle up, my fantastic friend – we’re off for a wild weekend in wondrous San Francisco!
Hey, my travel-savvy buddy! 🌴✨ Before I spill the beans on all this incredible free info, I’ve got a little favor to ask! 🙏🤩 How about using my affiliate links below to book your trip? It costs you absolutely nothing, and it gives my blog a little ✨boost✨ to keep the adventure train chugging along! 🚂 So, why not help a friend out, have an incredible trip, and keep the good vibes flowing?💃 Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
San Francisco, like the rest of California, was originally part of the Spanish Mission, conquered by the United States in 1846 it became part of the U.S. In 1848 gold was struck! Soon San Francisco became the heartland for pioneers who all wanted to find their fortune in the hills of San Francisco.
Now, San Francisco is known for other golden items. The Golden Gate bridge, the Silicon Valley, home of many technology companies, Napa Valley and its surrounding wine region, and of course not to mention the gold mine of wine that is just outside of San Francisco.
Explore the Japanese Tea Gardens
There is a large influence of Asian design and architecture spread throughout the San Francisco area, due to the high levels of immigrants that came in the early 1900s. The Japanese Tea Gardens were designed with beautiful zen gardens and koi ponds that will transport you to springtime in Japan. Sip on a cup of tea and enjoy the peaceful gardens as the stresses of life just soothe away.
Golden Gate Park
Start your trip in San Francisco with a visit to Golden Gate Park. Here, if you are visiting on a day with no fog, you will have the perfect view of the Golden Gate Bridge. If you are feeling really froggy, you can walk across the Golden Gate Bridge! Make sure you bring a jacket though, even on a sunny day it gets really windy walking across the bridge.
Fisherman’s Wharf
When you are done walking across the bridge, head down to Fisherman’s Wharf. Here you can get a cup of Joe at CoCo Fresh Tea and Juice or at Boudin at the Wharf. Or grab lunch or brunch at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Cioppinos, Bistro Boudin or Buena Vista Café. Now if you are already at Fisherman’s Wharf – you have to visit the other iconic locations that are all down on the wharf.
Visit the Aquarium of the Bay, this aquarium is world renowned and shouldn’t be missed, especially if you are traveling with kids. Then visit Pier 39 – here you can find live music, street performers, shows playing on the stage and of course great areas for shopping!
Ghirardelli Square
This is a tourist stop but a must while you are in San Francisco. Visit Ghirardelli Square! Even the locals come here and do the “touristy” thing at least once. There is a tour you can do and standing in line for your ice cream is worth the wait. Nothing like getting the chocolate from the source, try to plan your visit NOT around a weekend. You’ll enjoy your trip much more if you are able to visit during the week because there are less people crowding the square.
Grab a Glass of Wine
Now if you aren’t able to visit Napa, Sonoma, Anderson, Amador and Monterey County – don’t miss out on the wine scene while you are in premiere wine country. There are tons of urban wineries and tasting rooms in the heart of San Francisco. The Winery SF, Treasure Island Wines and Sottomarino Winery are just a few options of the dozens of wineries you can visit without ever leaving the city limits.
Visit the Famous Lombard Street
Lombard Street, an east-west street in San Francisco, California, is renowned for its steep, one-block section with eight hairpin turns. This famous one-block section is often referred to as “the crookedest street in the world” and has become a popular tourist attraction. Stretching from The Presidio to The Embarcadero, Lombard Street forms a part of U.S. Route 101, but its most exciting part is its iconic, zigzagging stretch.
The snaking segment of Lombard Street was designed in 1922 by Carl Henry, and its creation was deemed necessary since the area’s 27% grade was too steep for most vehicles and pedestrians at the time. As a solution, the street’s serpentine design allowed for cars and people to safely navigate the steep hill.
Lombard Street was named by Irish American surveyor Jasper O’Farrell after Philadelphia’s Lombard Street. O’Farrell was San Francisco’s first surveyor and served a significant role in shaping the city.
Today, Lombard Street is a must-visit attraction when in San Francisco, and thousands of tourists flock to witness and experience its unique design. The colorful and manicured gardens along the street also contribute to its charm and fame. Please note that access to the street is limited during peak times to help manage traffic.
Mission District
As the afternoon rolls in, roll down to the Mission District to soak up some sun and street art ☀️🌈🎨 Put on those sunglasses, you’ll need them! 😎 And don’t forget to end your day on a sugar-pumped high, indulging in a delectable Mission-style burrito! 🌯 Could the day get any Max-ican better?
The Mission District’s story is a rich tapestry that traces back long before the modern incarnation of the tech-hip neighborhood it’s known today. Its history is deeply interwoven with the native peoples and the waves of immigrants that have called it home.
Before the Spanish missionaries set foot in the area, the land where the Mission District now lies was inhabited by the Ohlone people, specifically the Yelamu tribe, for over 2,000 years. These indigenous people had a deep connection to the bay and the natural resources it provided.
Whether you walk, bike, trolley or take a scooter around the city – you won’t be disappointed by the Golden City of San Francisco. These are just a few tips from my trips to San Fransisco and I hope that you find your own adventures while you are in the Golden City!
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